U.S. Retail Sales Inch Upward

The nation’s major retailers reported today that sales improved slightly in October but still remained lackluster,

Sears, Roebuck & Co., the nation’s largest, said its sales for the four weeks ending Nov. 2 edged up 2.4% from the same period a year ago. K mart Corp., ranked second, said its October sales rose 4.4%, and No. 3 J.C. Penney Co. said its sales increased 1.6%. Cautious consumer spending continues to be a major factor holding down overall retail sales, said Bernard M. Fauber, K mart’s chairman.